Gemma Jewels is your new Deep South Wrestling Women’s Champion.
For the first time in nearly 40 years, a Deep South Women’s Champion has been crowned. On July 29, Deep South Wrestling pitted Gemma Jewels against Audrey Allen, with the winner earning the vacant women’s title. Jewels ultimately emerged victorious, and in doing so, marked herself as the first titleholder since Joyce Grable’s win in 1987.
“[It was] just unbelievable, surreal, really,” Jewels told WrestleZone’s Ella Jay. “I know everybody says that and it’s corny and stuff. I have been a champion before, but it’s different when it’s your home promotion. That’s kind of where I really grew up with wrestling in my career is what I mean. That’s where I finally was able to really put some added seriousness into this and more drive and weight loss and new gear. I had these goals and sure enough, it definitely came back to me. Full circle, and it’s great. I’m glad I got to meet Joyce before she unfortunately passed away. That was great and getting to know her a couple times when BellaDonna was like running and stuff. That’s where I would see her. I’m honored to carry on that tradition and kind of start a new legacy for myself, too.”
Jewels Praises Her Opponent, Audrey Allen
While she continues to soak in her championship victory, Jewels also issued a round of applause for her opponent, Audrey Allen, who made her in-ring debut back in 2023.
“Audrey got l thrown into the scene and had to pick up stuff quick,” Jewels said. “Somebody actually approached her one day and said like, ‘You look like a wrestler’ and then she was like, ‘Oh, do I?’ She had never been into it or anything. I’m super impressed by how far she’s come in just like two years. Her first match was like a tryout for NWA.
“It was a whole thing,” Jewels continued, “so being thrown into that whereas it took me just because my ups and downs with different training schools and everything else, it took me a while to truly debut. Now, the match, definitely nerves for sure. Even though it’s the home place that we always run and I’m used to the people, I’m still the b*tch at the end of the day. I’m the heel, but both of us were getting cheered at different times and the energy was just great.”
Jewels, based in Atlanta, currently trains under DSW’s Eric Adamz and Nick Patrick, the latter of whom revived Deep South Wrestling in 2021.
Watch our full interview with Gemma Jewels below:
